01
Spot-color control
Approve standards and production color with L*a*b*, spectral data and an agreed color-difference formula.
Graphics & packaging
Color control for print, labels & packaging
Verify spot colors, production runs and packaging color tolerances across substrates, converters and suppliers—with a method that separates ink, paper and surface effects.
Why color drifts
A color target has to survive the substrate, press and finish.
Ink draw-downs, press sheets, labels and finished cartons can all carry the same nominal color and still measure differently. Paper whiteness, optical brighteners, ink film, coating, lamination and texture affect the result. Instrumented color control makes those variables visible before a run becomes waste.
02
Run-to-run consistency
Track color at defined positions and intervals so drift is corrected while the press is still running.
03
Supplier alignment
Give printers, converters and brand owners one measurement method for approvals, claims and repeat orders.
Instrument options
Portable and benchtop instruments for Print & Packaging
Portable instruments suit press-side checks, incoming packaging and large finished items. Benchtop instruments suit controlled laboratory presentation, small specimens, transmission work and repeatable approval workflows.
Where it pays off
Use cases across print and packaging production
01
Spot colors
Approve brand colors against a protected physical and digital standard.
02
Press make-ready
Reach the target faster by measuring early sheets before full production speed.
03
Run monitoring
Sample defined positions across the web or sheet and trend drift through the run.
04
Labels & cartons
Check converted pieces after coating, lamination, embossing and finishing.
05
Incoming packaging
Verify supplier cartons, labels, closures and printed components before use.
06
Multi-site standards
Correlate instruments and exchange spectral data between brands, printers and converters.
Method notes
Decisions that make measurement repeatable
| Decision | Common starting point | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Measure the approved stock or control its whiteness and backing | Paper shade, opacity and brighteners can move both color and visual appearance. |
| Geometry | Keep geometry and specular condition fixed | Gloss, coatings and texture respond differently under different optical arrangements. |
| Aperture | Fit fully inside the printed patch | An aperture that includes unprinted stock, edges or adjacent colors produces a mixed result. |
| Tolerance | Name the formula and component limits | A shared ΔE number is only enforceable when every site calculates it the same way. |
UV control for paper and board
Many white papers and boards use optical brighteners. If they influence the approved appearance, define the UV condition and keep it consistent. The SD-700 UV is a relevant portable option where UV-included and UV-excluded comparison is required, but it is one option within the wider portable and benchtop ranges.
Specifying with confidence
Print & Packaging color measurement FAQ
Should print be measured on a press sheet or finished pack?
Use the specimen that controls the commercial decision. Press sheets are best for process adjustment; the finished pack confirms the effect of coating, lamination, texture and conversion. Many programmes define both.
Why does the same ink read differently on another paper?
The substrate changes reflected light through its color, opacity, fluorescence and surface. Keep the approved stock fixed or define how substrate variation is handled.
How large should a color patch be?
It must fully cover the instrument’s true viewed and illuminated areas with margin for positioning. Confirm those areas for the selected aperture rather than relying only on the aperture name.
Can suppliers share one Delta E limit?
Yes, after agreeing the standard, sample construction, instrument geometry, settings, formula and correlation process. The limit alone is not a complete specification.
Related applications
Other materials and workflows we cover
Make every approved color reproducible.
Tell us the substrate, print process, patch size and tolerance. We’ll help match the geometry, aperture and workflow to the job.
Technical guides for Print & Packaging
Aperture Size
Measurement Aperture Size Explained: Why It Matters
Aperture, illumination area and detector view are not always the same. Match the instrument’s usable measurement area to the sample and method.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Calibration & Maintenance
How to Calibrate a Spectrophotometer
Routine standardisation, verification and formal calibration are distinct activities. Follow the instrument manual and record every approved check.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Metamerism
What Is Metamerism? Why Colors Match in One Light but Not Another
Illuminant metamerism occurs when two samples match under one light but differ under another because their spectral responses differ.
Quick technical guide · Read the guide →Measurement Techniques
How to Measure Color Correctly: A Practical Guide
Learn how to measure color correctly: control calibration, settings, sample presentation, orientation and averaging so every spectrophotometer result is repeatable and useful.
8–10 minute guide · Read the guide →Buying & Selection
How to Choose a Spectrophotometer
Choose a spectrophotometer by your sample, tolerance and workflow. This practical buying guide covers geometry, aperture, repeatability, data correlation and instrument format.
9–11 minute guide · Read the guide →Inter-Instrument Agreement
Spectrophotometer Repeatability vs Inter-Instrument Agreement
Repeatability shows how closely one spectrophotometer agrees with itself. Inter-instrument agreement shows how closely it agrees with another. Learn why both matter for reliable color control.
7–9 minute guide · Read the guide →CIELAB
CIE L*a*b* Explained: Understanding L*, a* and b*
CIE L*a*b* describes color with three coordinates: L* lightness, a* red–green and b* yellow–blue. Learn how to interpret Lab values for practical quality control.
4–5 minute guide · Read the guide →Fundamentals
What Is a Spectrophotometer? Complete Guide to Color Measurement
A spectrophotometer measures how a sample reflects or transmits light across wavelengths, turning spectral data into objective color values, ΔE and practical quality-control decisions.
8–10 minute guide · Read the guide →